Improvement in piano-tuning-pin locks



G. P. REEVES.

Piano Tuning-Pin'Lock.

N0.|64 763, Patentedjung 22,l87 5.

THE GRAPHIC C0.PHOT(] -L|TH.39&.41 PARK PLACE,N.Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

GEORGE P. REEVES, O F HELENA, MON ANA TERRITORY, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND CHARLES RUMLEY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT lN PlANo TUNlNG-PlN LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,763, dated J one 22,1875; application filed March 29,1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. REEVES, of Helena, in the county of Lewis and Clarke and Territory of Montana, have invented a new and Improved Tuning-Pin Lock, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a top view of the sliding jaw-plates of my improved tuning-pin lock, and Fig. 2 a vertical longitudinal section of the locking device.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

My invention relates to an improved fastenin g device or look for the tuning-pins of pianos or other stringed instruments, for the purpose of rigidly holding the pin in position after the proper pitch of string has been adjusted by the tuner.

The invention consists of an outer stationary y, and interior sliding jaw-plate, placed around the tuning-pin, and the conical wedge part of a locking pin or key, that forces the jaws around the tuning-pin for binding the same firmly after tuning.

In the drawing, A represents a tuningpiu of a piano, or other stringed musical instrument, which passes through an insulating-slot of the iron plate B of the piano into the supporting-block 0 below the same. The tunin pin is turned by a key applied to its upper end, to impart the necessary tension to the string, and has a barrel or drum shaped part, a, on which the jaws of the locking device act.

Part a may, however, be dispensed with when pins of suificient thickness are employed. In smaller pins it is advantageous, as it increases the surface on which the jaws may act.

The piumaybe plain or milled, as desired. The lockingdevice or tone-lock of the tunin'g-pinA consists of a locking pin or key, D,

which is screwed through a similar insulatin slot of the iron plate 13 into block 0, and set by means of the tuning-key applied to the upper end. An inverted conical part, b, of the key D acts on an outer jaw-plate, E, which is carried into stationary or fixed position by being fitted around the tuning'pin and key, and also on an interior sliding jaw-plate, E, guided therein. Both plates have recesses to fit the pins, and are insulated by a piece, d, of leather, felt, or other non-conductor of sound.

The locking-key may also be screwed directly into the iron plate B, if desired, without being insulated by a special slot around the same. v i

By turning the locking-key D, and screwing it down, the sliding jaw-plate is forced by the conical wedge part of the key against the tuning-pin, holding the same with a rigid gripe, like a vise, so that there is no possibility for the tuning-pin to turn or give way by the strain thereon.

Before tuning the lock is detached by unscrewing the key.

By this simple mechanism the piano is enabled to retain the tone longer without the ne oessity of frequent tuning.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent--- A fastening device or tonelock, for tuning-pins of pianos and other stringed instru ments, consisting of the combination of the insulated tuning-pin with insulated fixed and sliding jaw-platcs and anadjustable locking pin or key with conical wedge part, arranged and applied substantially as and for the pur" pose set forth.

GEORGE I. REEVES. Witnesses:

WILLIAM C. CHILD, lnnsron Scor'r. 

